Temperature control device, test device, and temperature control method

Abstract

To provide a temperature adjustment device that improves temperature followability with respect to load fluctuations of a test object.SOLUTION: A temperature adjustment device supplies a gas, of which temperature has been adjusted to a set temperature, to a thermostatic tank inside which a test object is provided, and collects the gas from the thermostatic tank. The temperature adjustment device comprises a base heater that heats the collected gas, a cooling coil that cools the gas heated by the base heater, and a heater for temperature adjustment that adjusts the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling coil to the set temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a temperature control device, a test device, and a temperature control method.

Background Art

[0002] In product development, the test object is installed in an environment with specific temperature conditions, for example, a low-temperature environment, to test the characteristics of the product. Further, for example, when operating a device that is greatly affected by temperature fluctuations, the device itself is operated in an environment with specific temperature conditions. To realize an environment with specific temperature conditions, a temperature adjustment device (temperature control device) is used.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a temperature control device that passes a temperature control medium cooled through a cooling coil of a refrigeration cycle through a temperature controllable heater and adjusts it to a predetermined temperature, and a minute temperature control device that configures the heater from two heaters with different capabilities. Patent Document 1 discloses making at least the heater with a smaller capacity among the two heaters temperature controllable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the test object installed in an environment with specific temperature conditions generates heat due to a load, if the load of the test object fluctuates, the heat generation state of the test object may fluctuate and the temperature of the environment where the test object is installed may fluctuate.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a temperature control device that improves temperature followability with respect to load fluctuations of a test object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a temperature control device that supplies a gas whose temperature has been adjusted to a set temperature to a thermostatic chamber in which a test object is installed, and recovers the gas from the thermostatic chamber, the temperature control device including a base heater that heats the recovered gas, a cooling coil that cools the gas heated by the base heater, and a temperature adjustment heater that adjusts the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling coil to the set temperature.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the temperature control device of the present disclosure, temperature followability can be improved with respect to load fluctuations of the test object.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regarding the descriptions in the specification and drawings related to each embodiment, for components having substantially the same or corresponding functional configurations, the same reference numerals may be used to omit redundant descriptions. Also, for ease of understanding, the scales of each part in the drawings may be different from the actual ones.

[0011] For directions such as parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up and down, left and right, a deviation that does not impair the effects of the embodiment is allowed. The shape of the corner is not limited to a right angle and may be arcuate and rounded. Parallel, right angle, orthogonal, horizontal, and vertical may include substantially parallel, substantially right angle, substantially orthogonal, substantially horizontal, and substantially vertical.

[0012] <Temperature control device 1> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temperature control device 1 which is an example of the temperature control device according to the present embodiment. The temperature control device 1 supplies air whose temperature (set temperature Tset) set in a thermostat 2 described later is adjusted. Then, the temperature control device 1 collects the air discharged from the thermostat 2. And the temperature control device 1 adjusts the temperature of the air collected from the thermostat 2 and supplies the air to the thermostat 2.

[0013] The temperature control device 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The temperature control device 1 has, on its side surface, an air supply port 1a for supplying air to the thermostat 2 and a return air port 1b for collecting air from the thermostat 2.

[0014] <Test device 20> Next, a test device 20 using the temperature control device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a test device 20 which is an example of the test device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of a test device 20 which is an example of the test device according to the present embodiment.

[0015] The test device 20 is a device that operates and tests a test object in an environment with set temperature conditions. The test device 20 includes a temperature control device 1 and a thermostat 2. The test device 20 connects the temperature control device 1 and the thermostat 2 and includes an air supply duct 4u and a return air duct 4d through which air flows.

[0016] The temperature control device 1 supplies the thermostatic chamber 2 with air whose temperature has been adjusted via an air supply duct 4u connected to the air supply port 1a. Further, the temperature control device 1 recovers the air discharged from the thermostatic chamber 2 via a return air duct 4d connected to the return air port 1b. The temperature control device 1 circulates air between the thermostatic chamber 2 and itself.

[0017] The test object T is installed inside the thermostatic chamber 2. The thermostatic chamber 2 holds the test object T inside while thermally insulating it from the outside of the thermostatic chamber 2. The test object T generates heat, for example, according to the load connected to the test object T.

[0018] <Internal configuration of the temperature control device 1> The temperature control device 1 includes a control unit 10, a cooling coil 11, a temperature adjustment heater 12, a temperature sensor 13, a base heater 14, and a blower 15. The temperature control device 1 adjusts the temperature so that the air A4 supplied from the air supply port 1a reaches the set temperature Tset.

[0019] The temperature adjustment of the air in the temperature control device 1 will be described according to the air flow. The air A1 flowing into the cooling coil 11 is cooled by the cooling coil 11. The cooling coil 11 adjusts the temperature so that the temperature of the air A2 discharged from the cooling coil 11 is lower than the set temperature Tset. The air A2 cooled by the cooling coil 11 is sent to the temperature adjustment heater 12.

[0020] The air A2 sent to the temperature adjustment heater 12 is heated by the temperature adjustment heater 12. The temperature of the air A2 is lower than the set temperature Tset. The temperature adjustment heater 12 adjusts the temperature by heating the air A2 so that the temperature of the air A3 reaches the set temperature Tset. Note that the temperature adjustment heater 12 performs temperature control by feeding back the temperature of the temperature sensor 13.

[0021] The air A3 heated by the temperature adjustment heater 12 is sent to the temperature sensor 13. The temperature sensor 13 measures the temperature of the incoming air A3.

[0022] The air A4 whose temperature is measured by the temperature sensor 13 is supplied from the air supply port 1a to the thermostat 2 through the air supply duct 4u. The air A4 supplied to the thermostat 2 passes through the inside of the thermostat 2 and is discharged from the thermostat 2. The air A5 discharged from the thermostat 2 is recovered at the air return port 1b through the air return duct 4d. The temperature of the air A5 discharged from the thermostat 2 varies due to heat generation according to the load of the test object T installed inside the thermostat 2.

[0023] The air A5 recovered from the air return port 1b is heated by the base heater 14. The air A1 heated by the base heater 14 is cooled by the cooling coil 11.

[0024] Note that the blower 15 provided between the temperature adjustment heater 12 and the temperature sensor 13 generates an air flow in which the air flows in the order of the cooling coil 11, the temperature adjustment heater 12, the thermostat 2, and the base heater 14.

[0025] Next, each component of the temperature control device 1 will be described.

[0026] [Cooling Coil 11] The cooling coil 11 cools the flowing air A1. The cooling coil 11 is, for example, an evaporator. The refrigerator 3 supplies a refrigerant pressurized or depressurized to a predetermined pressure to the cooling coil 11. The refrigerator 3 supplies the refrigerant to the cooling coil 11 through the pipe 5. In the cooling coil 11, the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerator 3 evaporates and the temperature decreases. Then, the cooling coil 11 performs heat exchange with the flowing air A1. By performing heat exchange with the flowing air A1, the cooling coil 11 cools the flowing air A1 and discharges the air A2.

[0027] The cooling coil 11 adjusts the temperature so that the temperature of the air A2 discharged from the cooling coil 11 becomes lower than the set temperature Tset. Specifically, the control unit 10 sets the temperature of the refrigerant from the refrigerator 3 so that the temperature of the air A2 discharged from the cooling coil 11 becomes lower than the set temperature Tset.

[0028] [Heater 12 for Temperature Adjustment] The heater 12 for temperature adjustment heats the air A2 cooled by the cooling coil 11. The heater 12 for temperature adjustment is, for example, an electric heater. The heater 12 for temperature adjustment is controlled by the control unit 10. The heater 12 for temperature adjustment heats the air A2 based on the temperature of the air A3 (air A4) measured by the temperature sensor 13. Specifically, the heater 12 for temperature adjustment heats the air A2 so that the temperature of the air A3 (air A4) measured by the temperature sensor 13 reaches the set temperature Tset.

[0029] The heater 12 for temperature adjustment heats the air A2 and finely adjusts the temperature of the air A2, thereby controlling the temperature of the air A3 with higher precision. Specifically, the control unit 10 performs temperature control by feeding back the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 13. For example, the control unit 10 performs PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control to control the temperature of the air A3 to reach the set temperature Tset.

[0030] The heater 12 for temperature adjustment responds faster to temperature fluctuations than the cooling coil 11. Since the heater 12 for temperature adjustment responds quickly to temperature fluctuations, the temperature of the air A3 (air A4) can be stably adjusted to the set temperature Tset.

[0031] [Temperature Sensor 13] The temperature sensor 13 measures the temperature of the air A3 heated by the heater 12 for temperature adjustment. The temperature sensor 13 is, for example, a resistance temperature detector, a thermocouple, a thermistor, etc. The temperature sensor 13 is connected to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 detects the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 13. The control unit 10 controls the heater 12 for temperature adjustment using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 13.

[0032] [Base Heater 14] The base heater 14 heats the air A5 recovered from the thermostat 2. The base heater 14 is, for example, an electric heater. The base heater 14 is set to have a set temperature difference, for example, a temperature difference of about 16°C, between the front and rear of the cooling coil 11. The base heater 14 heats the air A5 so that the temperature of the air A1 is about 16°C higher than the temperature of the air A2. The temperature of the air A2 is set to be 1 to 2°C lower than the set temperature Tset in consideration of heating by the temperature adjustment heater 12.

[0033] For example, the base heater 14 operates with the heater output shown in Table 1 with respect to the set temperature Tset. In Table 1, the base heater output is represented as a percentage of the maximum output.

[0034] [Table 1]

[0035] As shown in Table 1, the output of the base heater 14 increases as the set temperature Tset increases.

[0036] By setting the temperature difference to about 16°C before and after the cooling coil 11, the refrigerator 3 operates at a constant load. For example, if the temperature difference is small, the refrigerator 3 may stop operating. When the refrigerator 3 stops operating, the temperature of the air A4 may fluctuate without stabilizing at the set temperature Tset.

[0037] In the temperature control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the base heater 14 heats the air A5 recovered at the return air port 1b, thereby generating a temperature difference before and after the cooling coil 11. Therefore, the refrigerator 3 operates at a constant load to cool the cooling coil 11. By operating the refrigerator 3 at a constant load, the temperature of the air A1 discharged from the cooling coil 11 is stably controlled at a temperature lower than the set temperature Tset. Therefore, the temperature of the air A4 supplied from the temperature control device 1 stabilizes at the set temperature Tset.

[0038] [Blower 15] The blower 15 generates an air flow. The blower 15 is, for example, a blower fan, a centrifugal fan, an axial flow fan, or the like. The type of the blower 15 is not limited as long as it is a blower that generates an air flow.

[0039] [Control unit 10] The control unit 10 controls the entire temperature control device 1. The control unit 10 is connected to each of the temperature adjustment heater 12, the temperature sensor 13, and the base heater 14. Further, the control unit 10 is connected to the refrigerator 3. Note that the control unit 10 may be connected to the blower 15, for example. When the control unit 10 is connected to the blower 15, it may control the start and stop of the operation of the blower 15 or may control the rotation speed of the blower 15.

[0040] <Temperature adjustment method by the temperature control device 1> The temperature adjustment method by the temperature control device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The temperature control device 1 heats the recovered air A5 with the base heater 14. That is, the temperature adjustment method by the temperature control device 1 includes a step of heating the recovered air A5 with the base heater 14.

[0041] Further, the temperature control device 1 cools the air A1 heated by the base heater 14 with the cooling coil 11. That is, the temperature adjustment method in the temperature control device 1 includes a step of cooling the air A1 heated by the base heater 14 with the cooling coil 11.

[0042] Furthermore, the temperature control device 1 heats the air A2 cooled by the cooling coil 11 with the temperature adjustment heater 12 and adjusts it to the set temperature Tset. That is, the temperature adjustment method in the temperature control device 1 includes a step of adjusting the air A2 cooled by the cooling coil 11 to the set temperature Tset with the temperature adjustment heater 12.

[0043] <Operation of the temperature control device 1> The results of measuring the temperature fluctuation when the temperature control device 1 according to the present embodiment is operated are shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] The set temperature Tset was -40°C. A heating element simulating the motor of the electric vehicle under test was installed inside the constant temperature bath 2, and the test was conducted while varying the load.

[0045] Line L1 in Figure 4 is the temperature of the gas supplied from the temperature control device 1, specifically, the measurement result of the air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 13. Line L2 in Figure 4 is the load output of the object under test.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, even when the load of the object under test fluctuated, the temperature fluctuation was 1°C or less, more specifically, 0.5°C or less. By controlling the temperature with the temperature control device according to this embodiment, even when the load of the object under test fluctuates, the temperature fluctuation can be suppressed.

[0047] <Function and Effect> The temperature control device 1 according to this embodiment includes the base heater 14 upstream of the cooling coil 11, so that even when the heat generation load of the object under test fluctuates, the temperature can be made to follow. That is, the temperature control device 1 can improve the temperature followability by including the base heater 14 upstream of the cooling coil 11. In particular, the temperature followability can be improved at low temperatures of 10°C or less.

[0048] The temperature control device 1 according to this embodiment includes the base heater 14 upstream of the cooling coil 11, so that the refrigerator 3 can be operated efficiently and the cooling capacity in the cooling coil 11 can be stabilized.

[0049] For example, in a conventional temperature control device, the temperature could be adjusted to the set temperature at the start, but when the test was started and the heat generation load of the object under test fluctuated, the air temperature fluctuated in conjunction with the heat generation of the object under test.

[0050] According to the temperature control device 1 according to this embodiment, by improving the temperature followability, the temperature can be stabilized regardless of the heat generation load of the object under test.

[0051] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The above embodiments may be omitted, replaced, or modified in various forms without departing from the scope and gist of the appended claims.

[0052] For example, in order to further supply air to the circulating air, the temperature control device may include a pre-cooler. Also, in order to further adsorb and dehumidify the air cooled and dehumidified by the pre-cooler, the temperature control device may include a dehumidifier.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of a test device 21 which is a first modification of the test device 20 according to the present embodiment. External processed air Ap is supplied to the air in which the temperature control device 101 circulates. The temperature control device 101 further includes a pre-cooler 18 and a dehumidifier 19 in the temperature control device 1. The external processed air Ap is supplied to the air in which it circulates by a blower provided in at least one of the pre-cooler 18 and the dehumidifier 19.

[0054] The pre-cooler 18 cools the external processed air Ap (external air) to a predetermined temperature. The pre-cooler 18 includes a cooling coil 18a. The temperature control device 101 branches and flows the refrigerant from the refrigerator 3 through a branch pipe 5a branched from the pipe 5. The refrigerant is supplied to the cooling coil 18a through the branch pipe 5a. The cooling coil 18a of the pre-cooler 18 cools and dehumidifies the external processed air Ap.

[0055] The dehumidifier 19 dehumidifies the cooled processed air Ap. The dehumidifier 19 includes a dehumidifying section 19a that dehumidifies the processed air Ap cooled by the pre-cooler 18. The dehumidifying section 19a adsorbs and dehumidifies the processed air Ap cooled and dehumidified by the pre-cooler 18 and supplies new air An to the air A5. Note that, in the dehumidifying section 19a, an adsorption type dehumidifying device may be used, or depending on temperature conditions and the like, a membrane type or refrigeration type dehumidifier may be used. Furthermore, as the dehumidifying section 19a, a combination of an adsorption type, a membrane type, a refrigeration type, etc. may be used.

[0056] In addition, when using an adsorption-type dehumidifying device, it may be equipped with a heater. The adsorption-type dehumidifying device dehumidifies by adsorbing moisture on a dehumidification rotor. The moisture adsorbed on the dehumidification rotor will eventually reach a saturated state, and the adsorption capacity of the rotor will decrease. Therefore, the adsorbed moisture is heated by a heater and evaporated to regenerate the adsorption capacity of the rotor.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the system configuration of a test device 22, which is a second modification of the test device 20 according to the present embodiment. The temperature control device 201 is supplied to the air in which the external processed air Ap circulates. The temperature control device 201 further includes a pre-cooler 180 and a dehumidifier 190 in addition to the temperature control device 1. The pre-cooler 180 includes a blower 182. The blower 182 supplies the external processed air Ap to the circulating air.

[0058] The pre-cooler 180 cools the external processed air Ap to a predetermined temperature. The pre-cooler 180 includes a cooling coil 181. The temperature control device 201 allows the refrigerant from the refrigerator 3a to flow through the pipe 5b. The refrigerant is supplied to the cooling coil 181 through the pipe 5b. The cooling coil 181 of the pre-cooler 180 cools and dehumidifies the external processed air Ap.

[0059] The dehumidifier 190 dehumidifies the cooled processed air Ap. The dehumidifier 190 is an adsorption-type dehumidifying device. The dehumidifier 190 includes a dehumidification rotor 191 that dehumidifies the processed air Ap cooled by the pre-cooler 180. The dehumidification rotor 191 adsorbs and dehumidifies the processed air Ap cooled and dehumidified by the pre-cooler 180, and newly supplies the air An to the air A5. In addition, the dehumidifier 190 includes a heater 192 that heats the regeneration air Arc for regenerating the dehumidification rotor 191 and a blower 193 that blows the regeneration air Arc. By drying the dehumidification rotor 191 with the regeneration air Arc, the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidification rotor 191 is regenerated.

[0060] Furthermore, the temperature control device 201 includes a refrigerant injection unit 105. The refrigerant injection unit 105 injects the refrigerant R2 flowing through the pipe 5b into the refrigerant R1 flowing through the pipe 5. The refrigerant injection unit 105 is, for example, a branch pipe, a branch valve, or the like.

[0061] When the temperature of the circulating air (e.g., air A5) becomes high (e.g., 50°C or higher), the temperature of the refrigerant R1 flowing through the cooling coil 11, that is, the refrigerant R1 flowing through the pipe 5, becomes high. When a high-temperature refrigerant (e.g., a refrigerant at 30°C or higher) flows into the refrigerator 3a, it causes a failure of the refrigerator. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the refrigerant R1 flowing through the cooling coil 11, that is, the refrigerant R1 flowing through the pipe 5.

[0062] At high temperatures, the dehumidification functions of the pre-cooler 180 and the dehumidifier 190 are unnecessary, but at high temperatures, the refrigerant circuit of the pre-cooler 180 is utilized. Since the cooling coil 181 of the pre-cooler 180 is not exposed to high temperatures, the refrigerant R2 remains at a low temperature. Therefore, by injecting the refrigerant R2 flowing through the cooling coil 181 into the refrigerant R1 returning from the cooling coil 11 to the refrigerator 3a, the refrigerant R1 returning from the cooling coil 11 to the refrigerator 3a is cooled.

[0063] Note that the temperature control device 101, which is the first modification example, injects the refrigerant returning from the cooling coil of the pre-cooler to the refrigerator into the refrigerant returning from the cooling coil 11 to the refrigerator through the branch pipe 5a branched from the pipe 5.

[0064] The temperature control device 201 includes a control unit 10a instead of the control unit 10 of the temperature control device 1. In addition to the functions of the control unit 10, the control unit 10a controls the blower 182, the heater 192, and the blower 193.

[0065] Furthermore, in order to control the humidity of the circulating air, a humidifier for humidifying the circulating air or a dehumidifier for dehumidifying the circulating air may be provided in the flow path of the circulating air.

[0066] Also, the temperature control device 1 according to the present embodiment circulates air, but if it is a gas, nitrogen gas or the like may be used instead of air.

Explanation of Signs

[0067] 1, 101, 201 Temperature control device 1a Air supply port 1b Return air port 2 Constant temperature bath 3, 3a Refrigerator 4d Return air duct 4u Supply air duct 5, 5b Pipe 5a Branch pipe 10, 10a Control unit 11 Cooling coil 12 Temperature adjustment heater 13 Temperature sensor 14 Base heater 15 Blower 18, 180 Precooler 19, 190 Dehumidifier 20, 21 Test device A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 Air L1 Line L2 Line T Test object Tset Set temperature

Claims

1. A temperature control device that supplies a gas whose temperature has been adjusted to a set temperature to a constant temperature bath in which a test object is installed, and recovers the gas from the constant temperature bath, a base heater that heats the recovered gas, a cooling coil that cools the gas heated by the base heater, a temperature control heater that adjusts the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling coil to the set temperature, comprising: A temperature control device.

2. The base heater heats the recovered gas so that the temperature difference before and after the cooling coil becomes a set temperature difference. The temperature control device according to claim 1.

3. The cooling coil cools the gas heated by the base heater so that the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling coil becomes lower than the set temperature. The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 or 2.

4. The temperature control device further comprises a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the gas heated by the temperature control heater, The temperature control heater is controlled based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The gas is air, and the temperature control device includes a pre-cooler that supplies external air to the gas. The refrigerant supplied from the refrigerator to the pre-cooler is injected into the refrigerant returning from the cooling coil to the refrigerator. The temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A constant temperature bath in which a test object is installed, a temperature control device that supplies a gas whose temperature has been adjusted to a set temperature to the constant temperature bath and recovers the gas from the constant temperature bath, comprising: The temperature control device is a base heater for heating the recovered gas, a cooling coil for cooling the gas heated by the base heater, and a temperature adjustment heater for adjusting the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling coil to the set temperature. It is provided with a test device.

7. A temperature adjustment method for a temperature control device that supplies a gas whose temperature has been adjusted to a set temperature to a thermostatic chamber in which a test object is installed, and recovers the gas from the thermostatic chamber, comprising: a step of heating the recovered gas with a base heater; a step of cooling the gas heated by the base heater with a cooling coil; a step of adjusting the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling coil to the set temperature with a temperature adjustment heater; and including a temperature adjustment method.

Images